BAGUIO CITY — Authorities successfully seized over P17.7 million worth of marijuana and arrested two suspects following a hot pursuit operation in Bakun, Benguet, on Tuesday.

Personnel from the Police Regional Office Cordillera and the Benguet Police Provincial Office confiscated a large haul of dried marijuana leaves after apprehending two male suspects who attempted to evade a police checkpoint.

According to a report from the 1st Benguet Provincial Mobile Force Company, officers were conducting a checkpoint operation in Sitio Gakian, Barangay Gambang, Bakun.

A vehicle approaching the checkpoint suddenly made a sharp U-turn and sped back toward Barangay Ampusongan, prompting officers to immediately launch a pursuit.

Operating teams coordinated with the Bakun Municipal Police Station, the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company, and the Provincial Intelligence Unit to establish a new checkpoint in Sitio Ay-ay, Barangay Ampusongan.

The vehicle was eventually cornered at Sitio Mogao, Barangay Gambang. The two occupants, ages 25 and 24, both identified as residents of Parañaque City, were apprehended.

An inspection of the vehicle yielded a total of 144.67 kilograms of illegal drugs. This included 127 tubular forms of dried marijuana leaves, weighing 127 kilograms with a Standard Drug Price of P15,240,000; one yellow sack containing 10.27 kg of dried marijuana leaves, valued at P1,232,400; and one garbage bag containing 10.4 kg of dried marijuana leaves and stalks, valued at P1,248,000. The total estimated value of the confiscated marijuana is P17,720,400.